David was the first to publish a songbook of his Hebrew worship songs, and the first to record Messianic Jewish music so the songs could be sung all over the world. It took a miraculous series of events to lead David and his wife, Lisa, to become pioneers of messianic worship in Israel.

One of the largest high schools in Jerusalem, the Gymnasia is home to several Messianic students some of whom had attended youth group meetings days before being diagnosed with the coronavirus. Now, all teens and leaders who attended those meetings were forced to go into quarantine as well.

While most of the country was reducing its services or shutting its doors entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aviv Ministry was able to expand its women’s shelter into a more spacious facility in Beersheva and is already welcoming new residents.

The believers in the land of Israel, like in many other nations, have been prohibited from congregating, so they have been exploring other ways to continue their ministry. Many congregations have been very efficient in caring for their communities.

"What an honor – the task of helping to heal the rift between humanity and God. Whether we are aware of it or not, we do represent God to those who don’t know him. This means we can share His heart, His words, and tell of His kindness."

Simcha writes, "For years I carried around the guilt of motherhood not being ‘enough’. I am one of the many many women who believed that motherhood needed to fulfill me, complete me, and be my everything."

The most important stories to know this week are the discovery of a 2,000 year old underground room near the Western Wall, the Israeli response to an Iranian cyber-attack, and the Palestinian Authority announcement that they are cancelling security coordination with Israel.

David was the first to publish a songbook of his Hebrew worship songs, and the first to record Messianic Jewish music so the songs could be sung all over the world. It took a miraculous series of events to lead David and his wife, Lisa, to become pioneers of messianic worship in Israel.

One of the largest high schools in Jerusalem, the Gymnasia is home to several Messianic students some of whom had attended youth group meetings days before being diagnosed with the coronavirus. Now, all teens and leaders who attended those meetings were forced to go into quarantine as well.

While most of the country was reducing its services or shutting its doors entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aviv Ministry was able to expand its women’s shelter into a more spacious facility in Beersheva and is already welcoming new residents.

The believers in the land of Israel, like in many other nations, have been prohibited from congregating, so they have been exploring other ways to continue their ministry. Many congregations have been very efficient in caring for their communities.

"What an honor – the task of helping to heal the rift between humanity and God. Whether we are aware of it or not, we do represent God to those who don’t know him. This means we can share His heart, His words, and tell of His kindness."

Simcha writes, "For years I carried around the guilt of motherhood not being ‘enough’. I am one of the many many women who believed that motherhood needed to fulfill me, complete me, and be my everything."

The most important stories to know this week are the discovery of a 2,000 year old underground room near the Western Wall, the Israeli response to an Iranian cyber-attack, and the Palestinian Authority announcement that they are cancelling security coordination with Israel.

[Israel First Fruits Story] Ellie, an Educator & Entrepreneur

Ellie* is an Israeli believer who grew up in a National-Religious family.

After finishing high-school at the age of 18, she was drafted into the Israeli army. While serving in the IDF, she encountered the gospel through a tract about the Messiah. Ellie immediately felt that she found the TRUTH – Yeshua felt “natural,” fitting the values she grew-up with, her worldview and her understanding of the prophecies in the Jewish scriptures.

However, when she discussed this with her father, she quickly perceived that faith in Yeshua was “forbidden” territory. Nevertheless, the Lord was not done with Ellie and brought into her life a fellow soldier who was a believer. By the time her military service was over, Ellie had become a Messianic Jewish believer.

Following the army, Ellie enrolled in Teacher’s College.

“I always knew my calling was to be a teacher,” she shares. “After leaving home and completing my military service, I got my degree to become a teacher. Later, I felt the Lord leading me to get a second degree in education administration and then my Ulpan (Hebrew language) certificate.”

Pursuing her calling, she taught for many years. Then a new vision began forming.

“In the beginning, I thought God wanted me to start a new school. That was my vision. So, I started a daycare center.” Yet, like most first-time entrepreneurs, she did not have any business training and knew she needed help.

“I never had any business experience, so I decided to join the Firstfruits business course. I believed the Lord had a plan for me and that He had prepared this path for me. But I did not know what exactly God wanted or had in mind. I really believed it was the school. So, I came to the course to learn how to run my daycare.”

The course had a major impacton Ellie’s vision and practice. “After completing the course, I understood that my daycare could grow and get bigger. I was able to see how God was preparing me. I also began to see how my experience in education and everything else was to prepare me for what He had planned for me.”

But that was just the beginning of Ellie’s entrepreneurial journey.

“I always prayed that the Lord would expand my territory to reach as many people as possible. I wanted to be something unique and special.”

Still feeling she needed to start a school, Ellie closed the daycare business and started teaching Hebrew. Specifically, she began teaching doctors and pharmacists, many of whom are foreigners working in Israeli hospitals. Ellie developed specialized language courses for these medical professionals to aid their work with patients in the Israeli healthcare system. Offering several 6-month courses per year, with 15 students per class, she now employs another teacher to help.
Recently she updated the Firstfruits team regarding her new enterprise. Reflecting again on the business course, she shared how much it prepared her for this faith venture:“I learned how to manage business, how to consult with people and professionals, and how to negotiate. I also learned the importance of being organized – and my accountant is always complimenting me on how orderly I am.” Ellie also shared how she learned that God is her true “employer.” Her heart’s desire is to share the gospel and that God get all the glory through her work.

Not only is Ellie’s business growing and meeting a real need, but her work is an avenue to share about Yeshua.“I am able to be a light to so many people. I am able to share my faith with both locals and foreigners, many of whom are Arab Muslims. Some of these doctors come from Muslim countries – and I get to share with them about Israel and my faith. Recently, one Muslim doctor from an African country became a believer through my testimony. I never dreamed I would be sharing Jesus with so many people! ”

Thanks to the generous support and prayer of partners like you, Ellie’s Hebrew-teaching business continues to flourish and prosper, and she is fulfilling her calling to be a light in Israel and to the nations!

Thank you for being a part of Ellie’s story…and the story of Firstfruits!

Israel First Fruits is a marketplace ministry that operates business courses, disciple courses, annual business plan competition, and the Business Forum in Israel to strengthen the Body of Messiah through business in Israel.

"When Moshe went into the tent of meeting in order to speak with Adonai, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the ark-cover on the ark for the testimony, from between the two k’ruvim; and He spoke to him." Numbers 7:89